Electrical Performance of Distribution Insulators with Chlorella vulgaris Growth on its Surface

Herbert Enrique Rojas Cubides,Luis Felipe Cantor,Carlos Daniel Pérez,Andrés Felipe León

doi:10.15446/ing.investig.v35n2sup.53578

Abstract

This paper presents a study about electrical performance of ceramic and polymeric insulators bio-contaminated with alga Chlorella vulgaris. The performed tests involve ANSI 55-2 and ANSI 52-1 ceramic insulators and ANSI DS-15 polymeric insulators, all of them used in distribution systems of Colombia. Biological contamination of insulators is realized using a controlled environment chamber that adjusts the temperature, humidity and light radiation. The laboratory tests include measurements of flashover voltages and leakage currents and they were performed to determine how insulators are affected by biological contamination. After a series of laboratory tests, it was concluded that the presence of Chlorella vulgaris on the contaminated ceramic insulators reduces the wet flashover voltage up to 12% and increases their leakage currents up to 80%. On the other hand, for polymeric insulators the effect of algae growth on flashover voltages was not to strong, although the leakage currents increase up to 60%.

Highlights

Electrical insulators are protection elements commonly used in distribution and transmission power systems
The results presented in this paper about the electrical performance of insulators contaminated with Chlorella vulgaris have revealed that algae can grow on ceramic and polymeric materials, independently of the form or constitution of the insulators
Because the development of algae colonies on electrical insulators under natural conditions can extend from months to years and the microorganisms do not penetrate into the materials, the probability that contamination by Chlorella vulgaris produces a physical deterioration of the insulators is small

Summary

Introduction

Electrical insulators are protection elements commonly used in distribution and transmission power systems. In the same way as lines, transformers, switchgear and other equipment that conform these systems, insulators require inspection, diagnosis and maintenance (Sierra, Lajes, Filiberto, & Barrios, 2013). Diagnosis and maintenance activities in electrical systems require a lot of resources and time to be conducted (Capelini, Adami, Martinez, & Parentoni, 2015). Distribution insulators are used in Colombia and other countries mostly at 11.4, 13.2 and 34.5 kV power distribution systems. Their use is related with rural and urban environments throughout the territory and they can be made of ceramic and non-ceramic

Results

Discussion

Conclusion